How to make a children's kite

Written by matt wooddy

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A diamond kite can be a fun project for anyone. (Jennifer Trenchard/iStock/Getty Images)

The standard kite has been a hobbyist tradition for children for centuries. You don't have to be a scientist to construct one of these toys. These simple, but effective, flying objects can be made with common household materials, making this a creative project for children and their parents.

Skill level:

Easy

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Things you need

1 60 cm (24 inch) wooden dowel or lightweight, straight wooden stick

1 50 cm (20 inch) wooden dowel or lightweight, straight wooden stick

1 large piece of paper -- at least 65 cm by 65 inches (26 inches by 26inches) or a heavy duty bin bag

Clear packing tape

10 metres (10 yards) lightweight string

Craft knife

Pencil, pen or marker

Scissors

Ribbon

Ruler

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Instructions

1

Lay out the wooden sticks, side by side. Carve a small notch into both ends of each of the sticks with the craft knife. The notches do not have to be precise, but they do need to be about 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) deep.

2

Measure and mark 15 cm (6 inches) into the longer stick with a ruler. If done properly, this mark will be one-quarter of the way through the stick. Likewise, measure 25 cm (10 inches) into the shorter stick, as this will represent the middle of this piece.

3

Lay the shorter stick across the longer one, ensuring that both of these marks line up to create a cross-like shape. Check the ends of both sticks and make sure the notches run parallel with the ground.

4

Bind both of the sticks together with the string, creating an X-shaped pattern in the middle where both meet. Continue wrapping the sticks with the strings until these sticks are securely fastened.

5

Use the string to create a diamond-shaped frame, threading the string through each of the notches at least two times for stability. Pull both ends of the string down toward the middle of the kite frame, tying these ends off on the shorter stick.

6

Cut the piece of paper or trash bag so that it is slightly larger than the frame of the kite you constructed. Lay the cut piece over the frame. Fold the paper or bin bag over the kite frame and tape this down.

7

Wrap the top and bottom of the kite with tape to reinforce these areas. Punch a hole in both ends so you may tie an alternate string. Cut a 60 cm (2 foot) string and tie it through each of the holes to create the bridle of the kite.

8

Tie the remainder of the string to the bridle as this will act as the flying string for your kite. Knot a 2 metre (2 yard) string to the bottom of the kite, attaching ribbons along the way to add stability.